Barksdale struts its stuff for evaluators Published Jan. 25, 2017 By Senior Airman Joseph Raatz 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Team Barksdale pulled out all the stops during a recent evaluation visit by the Air Force Installation Excellence Selection Board, Jan. 17-18. Barksdale is one of two Air Force installations under consideration for the 2017 Commander-in-Chief's Installation Excellence Award, a presidential award for exemplary support of Department of Defense missions. The award, which recognizes outstanding and innovative efforts of the people who operate and maintain U.S. military installations, is presented annually to one installation from each branch of service and is the highest award a military installation can receive. The winners are selected by the IESB, a panel of command senior leaders from a variety of career fields who travel to each installation and conducts a detailed evaluation of working, housing and recreational conditions. This year’s Air Force panel is comprised of five members: Maj. Gen. Timothy Green, Headquarters Air Force director of civil engineers, deputy chief of staff for logistics, engineering and force protection, Col. Deanna Burt, 50th Space Wing commander, Col. Rodney Lewis, 319th Air Base Wing commander, Col. Brad McDonald, 88th Air Base Wing commander and Chief Master Sgt. Melanie Noel, 6th Air Mobility Wing command chief. IESB members toured more than 50 work centers over the course of their two-day evaluation, meeting with Team Barksdale members from both the 2nd and 307th Bomb Wings as well as representatives from 8th Air Force, Air Force Global Strike Command and other mission partners. At the conclusion of their visit, the panel expressed their admiration of Barksdale’s Airmen. “Your vision statement is ‘world-class Airmen leading the way,’” said Noel, addressing Col. Ty Neuman, 2nd BW commander, during her closing remarks. “Well sir, I think you need to find a new vision because you’ve already achieved that here. Your Airmen truly are world-class.” Among those personally recognized for excellence by the IESB was Staff Sgt. Christopher Hawkins, 2nd Munitions Squadron cruise missile maintenance instructor. McDonald praised Hawkins for his dedication, professionalism and breadth of knowledge. “Knowing I stood out among a group of other great Airmen during such a high-level event… it’s a good feeling,” Hawkins said. “Visits like these are impactful for the base, particularly in showing the Airmen their hard work is being recognized at the headquarters and even DoD level.” The IESB also recognized Team Barksdale members from the 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, 2nd Medical Support Squadron and the Barksdale Global Power Museum, among others. Barksdale is competing with Yokota Air Base, Japan, for this year’s Air Force IEA. The winning installation will receive a $700,000 incentive award to invest in quality-of-life projects, as well as a commemorative commander-in-chief’s award trophy and flag and a congratulatory letter from the president. CINC IEA results are traditionally announced in the spring.